Importance: Transoral robotic surgery- or transoral laser microsurgery-assisted lingual tonsillectomy may improve the identification rate of hidden base-of-tongue (BOT) carcinoma presenting as head or neck carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) site. Objective: To evaluate the potential impact of lingual tonsillectomy in CUP site by comparing differences in radiotherapy volumes, dosimetry, and clinical outcomes for CUP site and T1-category BOT carcinoma. Design, Setting, and Participants: Retrospective study of 115 patients treated at a tertiary cancer center between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2013, that included patients with BOT carcinoma (category T1N1-3M0) and CUP site (category T0N1-3M0) with known p16 status...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to determine if drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) was predictive of success for patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and multilevel procedures for sleep apnea. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series of patients who underwent TORS surgery for sleep apnea METHODS: Before and after polysomnograms were analyzed to assess improvement, success, and cure. Improvement was defined as any decrease in apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), success as an AHI <20 with a decrease >50%, and cure as an AHI <5...

BACKGROUND: The Flex Robotic System is a new robotic device specifically developed for transoral robotic surgery (TORS). METHODS: We performed a prospective clinical study, assessing the safety and efficacy of the Medrobotics Flex Robotic System. A total of 40 patients required a surgical procedure for benign lesions (n = 30) or T1 and T2 carcinomas (n = 10). Access and visualization of different anatomic subsites were individually graded by the surgeon. Setup times, access and visualization times, surgical results, as well as adverse events were documented intraoperatively...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the application of the Flex Robotic System in transoral robotic surgery (TORS). STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, open-label, single-armed clinical study. METHODS: A prospective clinical follow-up multicenter study was performed from July 2014 to October 2015 assessing the safety and efficacy of the Medrobotics Flex Robotic System for access and visualization of the oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx as well as for resection of benign and malignant lesions...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To discuss current modalities of endoscopic airway management beyond balloon dilation therapy. RECENT FINDINGS: Advances continue to be made through technology and bioengineering with exciting potential in the pediatric airway. Smaller robots and instrumentation allow increased endoscopic surgical success. Biodegradable stents and bioengineered grafts are on the horizon for use in airway surgery. Dysphonia following airway reconstruction is of increasing recognition with new endoscopic treatments being performed...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Investigation and surgical manipulation of the larynx, pharynx, and oesophagus suffer from inherent challenges with access to the sites of interest. To reduce trauma and external scarring, visualization and minimally invasive interventions by the transnasal or transoral routes have become more prevalent. This article discusses engineering methods used to understand and overcome the mechanical constraints inside the airway and upper gastrointestinal tract, and examines the role that robotics and engineering are beginning to play in modelling of surgical interventions in this region...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Transoral surgery (TOS) is commonly performed in a supine patient with an oral retractor. Paradoxically, this strategy can create difficulty with visualizing and accessing pathology at the base of tongue, inferior pharynx, and larynx. We investigate the feasibility of TOS with the patient in the seated position. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot study. METHODS: TOS utilizing the da Vinci Robotic Surgical Xi and Si systems (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) was performed on a fresh cadaver placed in both the traditional supine position and the seated position...

BACKGROUND: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for early glottic cancer has been reported, but the issue of anterior commissure involvement has seldom been addressed. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to preliminarily report the treatment results of TORS in this disease entity. METHODS: Eight patients with T1 and T2 glottic carcinoma with anterior commissure involvement were selected to receive TORS. The clinical parameters, including rates of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT), survivals, as well as organ and function preservation, were retrospectively analyzed...

Treatment of laryngoceles is surgical resection, through an external approach for external laryngoceles and through an endoscopic approach for internal laryngoceles. We report the first case of a mixed laryngomucocele treated with transoral robotic surgery. A patient presented with a history of chronic cough. Nasolaryngoscopy showed a sub-mucosal swelling into the larynx. Computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of a right mixed laryngomucocele. A transoral robotic- and laser-assisted surgery was performed...

Transoral robotic assisted surgery (TORS) represents an innovative endoscopic therapeutic alternative in the treatment of head and neck tumors. Many publications favor this surgery, especially in terms of functional results. The aim of this study was to investigate the TORS morbidity and mortality and to identify the risk factors for complications. It is a multicenter retrospective study. All head and neck tumor patients treated by TORS were included in the study over a period of 5 years (2009-2014). The studied parameters were the intraoperative and post-operative complications including hemorrhage, fistula, tracheotomy, aspiration pneumonia and death...

BACKGROUND: For hypopharyngeal cancer, transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has been reported as a new organ preserving treatment but outcomes are rarely reported. METHODS: From 2010 to 2013, 10 patients with early T classification pyriform sinus cancer were selected to receive TORS and conventional neck dissection. The clinical parameters, including rates of adjuvant radiotherapy, survivals, as well as organ and function preservation, were retrospectively analyzed...

Traditional external surgical approaches have been used for the surgical management of the oropharyngeal and laryngeal tumors. Trans-oral robotic surgery allows surgeon to operate oropharyngeal and supraglottic tumors through the mouth with preservation of functions. The surgeons must be knowledgeable about the anatomy of the oral cavity and oropharynx medial to lateral perspective. In this article, we will describe the relevant inside out surgical anatomy and its clinical implications for trans-oral robotic surgery...

PURPOSE: To provide a review of the clinical data, controversies, and limitations that underpin current recommendations for approaches to larynx preservation for locally advanced larynx cancer requiring total laryngectomy. METHODS: The key findings from pivotal randomized controlled trials are discussed, including quality of life, late effects, and function assessments. Trials investigating taxane inclusion in induction chemotherapy and trials of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition for radiosensitization are put into perspective for larynx cancer...

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has gained importance in head and neck surgery due to the possibility to visualize regions within the pharynx and larynx which are difficult to access. The success of transoral surgery depends on the exposure of the region of interest in order to allow visualization using a camera system. The Medrobotics Flex(®) Robotic System is a new flexible endoscopic system designed to overcome difficulties experienced in transoral surgery using other robotic systems with rigid endoscopes and instruments...

Nasogastric (NG) intubation is one of the most commonly performed clinical procedures. Real-time localization and tracking of the NG tube passage at the larynx region into the esophagus is crucial for safety, but is lacking in current practice. In this paper, we present the design, analysis and evaluation of a non-invasive real-time localization system using passive magnetic tracking techniques to improve efficacy of the clinical NG intubation process. By embedding a small permanent magnet at the insertion tip of the NG tube, a wearable system containing embedded sensors around the neck can determine the absolute position of the NG tube inside the body in real-time to assist in insertion...

BACKGROUND: Haemangioma of the adult larynx is an uncommon, benign lesion. The optimal surgical method of treating these lesions is controversial because only very limited case series are available. This paper reports the results of transoral robotic resection of a supraglottic haemangioma in an adult and reviews the literature. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 58-year-old woman presented having experienced a lump-in-the-throat sensation for 1 year. Investigations on laryngoscopy revealed a lobulated, dark red mass in the region of the supraglottis...

OBJECTIVE: Two cases of laryngeal lipomatous tumors are presented. Their diagnoses and management are discussed and contrasted. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: Patient 1 is a 58 year old male presenting with five years of progressive shortness of breath, dysphagia, and globus sensation. Clinical exam and imaging study showed a 3.5 cm hypodense laryngeal mass, and he underwent transoral robotic-assisted surgery for complete excision...

INTRODUCTION: Transoral surgery of the larynx is commonly performed with a rigid laryngoscope, a microscope, and a laser. We investigated the potential utility of a flexible, single-port, robot-assisted and physician-controlled endoscopic system to enable easy, transoral surgical access to the larynx. METHODS: Transoral laryngeal surgery was performed in human cadavers (n = 4) using the Flex System and compatible flexible instruments. Anatomical landmarks were identified, and mock surgical procedures were performed...

Head and neck surgery can be fraught with difficulties in accessing the pharynx and larynx. Minimally invasive surgery has developed with the recent advances in technology. Currently, we have a variety of high-definition multichannel videoendoscopes and robots in our armamentarium. We present our experience in a new robotic surgical system-'The Medrobotics Flex™ System' at our tertiary referral unit. We aimed to assess the safety, functionality and ease of use of this new device in this prospective study...